Tooth erosion forms from the process where acidic chemicals erode, or melt away, the enamel from your teeth. It is different from tooth abrasion or tooth attrition which are caused from brushing with too hard of a toothbrush, grinding your teeth, or eating a rough diet of foods. Both processes lead to enamel loss, but the patient with enamel erosion is usually unaware of the cause of the problem, or even that there is a problem.
Acidic chemicals can come into tooth contact from many different avenues such as consuming acidic foods and beverages, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bulimia, and swimming in chlorinated swimming pools, among others.
Let's look at some common foods that are highly acidic.
FOOD | pH |
Lemon/Limes | 1.8-2.4 |
Oranges/Juice | 2.8-4.0 |
Apples | 2.9-3.5 |
Grapefruit | 3.0-3.5 |
Black Coffee | 2.4-3.3 |
Wines | 2.3-3.8 |
Coke | 2.7 |
Vinegar | 2.4-3.4 |
Pickles | 2.5-3.0 |
Your risk for tooth erosion increases if you consume these highly acidic foods often, or in large quantities. If you are concerned that you may be at risk, please have your teeth checked for enamel erosion with your dentist. Enamel erosion can make your teeth sensitive and increase your chances of tooth decay.
